Category Archives: Reviews

I know I’ve written about Bimuno once before but I felt the need to right about it again.

Since my training and fitness took a hit due to the extension and no kitchen and now being out of action since mid-February due to a whiplash injury I have been feeling sluggish and bloated. Having found that exercise helps but not really being able to do much about it revisiting Bimuno is something that has been extremely beneficial.

It’s interesting to read other experiences about bloating and IBS and although I am not an IBS sufferer there are days where I can feel bloated, uncomfortable and just pretty poor really so to discover that such issues can have a massive impact on your life was quite a shock! This article in the Daily Mail certainly makes for interesting reading! I never really considered that it could cause such issues, but I have to say there are times when I haven’t been ‘in the mood’ due to feeling bloated… I have no excuse now!

So what is Bimuno?

Bimuno is a unique, second generation prebiotic that helps sustain the good bacteria in your gut. One of their products, IBAID (Intestinal Bifidobacteria Aid), is specifically designed to support people suffering from digestive health concerns and those with symptoms such as bloating or digestive discomfort.

You can purchase directly from the Bimuno website or in specialist pharmacies such as Boots.

I was recently sent some samples of Powdered Peanut Butter to try – I have been wanting to try Powdered Peanut Butter for a good while but it is just something I never got round to. So when Hale Naturals – the company behind PPB® got in touch to ask if I would like to try their products I jumped at the chance!

A lot of you are probably aware of PB2 – a US Version that has pretty much dominated the market when it comes to Powdered Peanut Butter – but now with Hale Naturals, we have our very own UK product, which is based in none other than the fabulous Yorkshire!

Hale Naturals offer three different versions of the PPB®. All priced at £6.50.

So why opt for Powdered Peanut Butter?

As we know Peanut Butter although high in protein is also quite high in fat (good fats mind!) so it means that we can only enjoy in very small quantities. Also the Peanut Butter brands that you are likely to pick up from supermarkets have added oils, salt, sugar and other nasties – I now buy Peanut Butter that is made from 100% Peanuts and nothing else and the taste is sensational!

BUT – having come across PPB® it now means I can enjoy a little more peanut goodness!

PPB® is made from ground roasted peanuts, with nearly all of the oil removed.. aka ‘a low fat powdered peanut butter’! PPB® is much lower in calories and fat than peanuts or peanut butter, yet it is higher in protein. This is great news for people trying to lose weight as protein helps people to feel fuller for longer and promotes the maintenance of lean muscle mass.

PPB® is very versatile. It can be used to add flavour to baked goods such as cookies and pancakes, as well as in marinades, sauces and dressings.

PPB® is naturally gluten free and it is good source of vitamin E, folate, fibre, niacin, magnesium and phosphorus. PPB® is low in carbohydrates which means that when blended with other flours, is perfect for making lower carb baked goods. PPB® is also a natural thickener and can be added to smoothies, stews, sauces and gravy.

To make peanut butter from PPB® simply mix 2 tbsp of peanut flour with 1 tbsp of either milk or water and mix. It tastes delicious on it’s on or with a dash of cinnamon, stevia or cocoa. PPB® plus milk or water doesn’t taste exactly like peanut butter but it’s pretty close, and some people actually PREFER the taste! Adding milk/water to PPB® also means that you are in control of how thick/creamy you make the consistency.

The only thing to consider is that the process has removed 70% of the oils (specifically good oils i.e. Vitamin E) and that small amounts of salt and sugar have been added. However, PPB® is a fabulous source of protein and is low in calories – so I say everything in moderation!

Round up

I was a little concerned to see salt and oil listed within the ingredients list after converting to 100% natural peanut butter (I have an avid dislike for unnecessary salt in foods) but after weighing up against eating far too much fat or having as a replacement product within cooking, PPB® does really come up trumps. I will still continue to use my regular 100% PB within my protein shakes as I love the crunchy texture which is what PPB® lacks and I want to ensure I am getting essential fats, but I will use PPB® when it comes to any recipes that require the addition of peanut butter in order to keep the overall fat content down.

Where can you buy PPB®?

So how did I use it?

Well today I made some of the deserts listed on the Hale Naturals website.

I started with the Soft Protein Cookies – unfortunately mine looked nothing like the image on the Hale Naturals website and didn’t taste that great either but this could be down to the fact I used ground almonds instead of flaxseed as that is all I had.

I shall try again!

Finally I made some Frozen Chocolate, Banana & PPB® Bites – these turned out a little better and are delish – perfect for a little treat when the munchies hit. Mine worked out at 59 calories per bite. The only thing I would suggest is pouring chocolate over the bites as opposed to rolling them in the chocolate as after 2 it started to destroy the chocolate and I ended up having to spoon chocolate onto the top of the bites – which means although edible the presentation doesn’t look as good!

They have plenty of other recipes on the site – tomorrow I plan to try the Prawn Stir-Fry – this was tomorrows meal anyway but I’m looking forward to trying with PPB®!